Saturday, September 18, 2010

A Good Synopsis Of The Film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

By Alfredo Ross

In May 2009, a film simply titled Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is dramatic exploration into the lives two of the world's most famous celebrities at that time. They are the eccentric Russian musician, Igor Stravinsky and the fabulous French fashion designer Coco Chanel.

The French film is based on the fictional novel that Chris Greenhalgh wrote in 2002. While the book and the movie are fictional, both are based on true events. Greenhalgh wrote about Coco Chanel's alleged affair with Stravinsky during the time they both lived in Paris in 1920.

2009 was also the year that Anne Fontaine directed and released her movie based on the life of Coco Chanel. The movie, Coco avant Chanel, starred Audrey Tautou. Unfortunately the movie strictly based on the life of the designer was not as popular as the one based on her dramatic love affair.

The plot of the movie is rather engaging. The movie starts off in Paris, France in the year 1913. Coco Chanel is attending the premier a rather outrageous performance called Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The ballet was extremely controversial which actually caused the audience to break out into the most well known musical riots ever.

The music and dance appalled the large audience, which sets off the biggest musical riot in history. But, young Coco was not offended in the least. In fact, she enjoyed the show and is especially interested in Igor when she sees him storming out of the angry theater.

It is seven years before the designer and the musician come into contact again. In 1920 Coco is a world renowned designer with a successful business. However, she is mourning her last lover, Arthur Capel. She meets Igor when he is forced to flee from Russia after the Russian Revolution. He has fled to France for safety. There is an instant attraction between the two.

Coco allows Igor, his children, and his lovely wife to stay in her villa that is on the outskirts of Paris. During the time he and his family are living there, Coco and Igor begin to have an affair. During this affair, both of their work becomes greater due to the love and passion that they feel for one another. It is during this time that Chanel No. 5, Coco's most famous perfume is released. It is also during this period that Igor Stravinsky starts to produce his best work. His music is filled with passion and is somewhat freeing, more than before he began the triste with France's most well known designer. As with any deceptive affair, the couple is soon caught by Igor's wife and the affair comes to an end.

Chris Greenhalgh wrote the screenplay as well. The movie was directed by Jan Kounen and filmed in English, French, and Russian. It stars Ann Mouglalis as Coco Chanel and Mads Mikkelsen as Igor. Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky opened with viewers having mixed reviews. They felt that the movie had great and exciting moments but it was not developed properly. It left the audience yearning for more.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment